Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Many people these days suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome OSAS. Sleep Apnea is a life-threatening condition that is characterised by loud snoring and the cessation of breathing while a person is sleeping. The patient will often not be aware of these characteristics. Only a few people are aware that a long-term cure can be brought about by the operative technique known as rotation advancement.

Rotation Advancement Surgery cures Sleep Apnea for ever

If sleep apnoea is suspected, x-ray images are used to carry out an analysis of the respiratory passages. The exact diameter of the upper respiratory passages are measured and defined. Together with the recordings from the sleep laboratory, the necessary treatment stages are started.

Catching up on natural growth

Through the forward advancement of the jaw, the lack of forward growth is “caught up on” and therefore a vitally important widening of the upper respiratory passages by 2 or 3 times is sustainably achieved. Many sleep apnoea patients wore braces as children, but only the tooth position and not the rear position of the jaw was taken into consideration.

The highly sensitive soft tissues remain untouched

The sensitive, supple and continually moving soft tissue parts such as the soft palate, pharyngeal uvula and the base of the tongue are spared when the rotation advancement method is used. Procedures which affect these functional soft tissues are particularly painful and Professor Sailer therefore does not carry out these procedures. Every year Professor Sailer performs numerous operations to correct the damage caused by these procedures, damage which leads to speech difficulties, a nasal voice or problems such as fluid leaking through the nose when swallowing.

The procedure is not dangerous and leaves no visible scars

The procedure is carried out on the jaw bone. Bones are not sensitive to pain, therefore the operation is painless. Surgery is carried out through the oral cavity, leaving no outwardly visible scars.

Patient reports before and after Sleep Apnea surgery

Authentic reports with name and photos of patients

Sleep apnea cured forever: Many enthusiastic former patients who have been cured hand over their contact details to pre-operative patients for sharing their experiences. Below you will find some current excerpts. In order to illustrate the authenticity and integrity of the letters and interviews we have been allowed to publish some of them with their full names.

January 2017, Mr. Ley from Germany

4 month after sleep apnea surgery

It all began in 2012 when I woke up tired, although I had slept more than adequately. For months, it was hard for me to work efficiently during the day and find any motivation for sports and other activities.

My doctor checked me thoroughly and referred me to a sleep laboratory. It was established that I was suffering a huge amount of breathing interruptions (apnoea). As a result, a breathing mask was prescribed to wear at night.

It may be acceptable to some people to come to terms with using a sleep mask for the rest of their life, however the mask bothered me enormously during sleep. In the morning when I woke up, the mask was often next to my bed. This was an unacceptable situation for me. I looked for a permanent cure for my sleep apnoea.

During my research on the internet I became aware of the Klinik Professor Sailer.

Having read the information in detail, I decided to take advantage of the free consultation in Zurich. The clinic is located close to the airport and is wonderfully accessible by public transport. The first impression was very positive.

When I entered Klinik Professor Sailer, I was greeted warmly at reception and then received by Professor Sailer's wife, Dr. Sailer. I was expertly informed in a most conducive atmosphere about the spectrum of options available to patients.

After the consultation, I was introduced to Professor Sailer himself. Professor Sailer is a very relaxed, pleasant and warm person. I felt very comfortable during the tests, during which everything was clearly explained to me and my face was analysed. Afterwards, radiographs of my skull were created and Professor Sailer illustrated how my problem would be treated and what results he could achieve.

An individual approach was basically created that would cure my sleep apnoea while taking into account my facial aesthetics, which was very important to me. This prognosis is of course only possible due to his enormous expertise and his unparalleled experience.

For me it was clear that he should perform the operation. I only had to be concerned about the financial part. In many cases, the cost of the operation is covered by insurance, but not in my case.

In 2016 the time had come. I had been studying this subject very intensely over the last three years and it felt almost unreal to be finally taking this step.

I went to Zurich to have the preliminary investigation and met a patient who had already completed the procedure. This dispelled any lingering doubts, because I had been worried that I might perhaps have an artificial appearance after the operation. The Austrian male patient looked very handsome and I would never have suspected that he'd undergone surgery. He recounted his experiences to me which was also reassuring.

The day before the operation, I travelled to Zurich, checked in at the hotel and then went to Klinik Professor Sailer for my teeth and oral cavity to be cleaned. Imprints were taken and I was then introduced to the anaesthesiologist to have any relevant questions about anaesthesia clarified.

The next morning I arrived at the hospital at around 6:30 am and was shown to my single room with private bathroom. I put on the surgical gown and then everything happened very quickly. I was welcomed by Professor Sailer and the other doctors and whose words encouraged me.

I remember being woken up around 7 pm. I coped very well with the anaesthetic, probably due to the gentle anaesthesia given by an experienced anaesthetist.

I could not eat for the first 2 days and lost about 8 kg in weight. The pain was bearable. I was able get up though and take a walk with Ms Jelic in the Klinik garden. On the 4th day I was picked up by my parents. The 6 hour drive went relatively well.

After arriving home, I could eat only freshly squeezed juices and vegetable pulp for the first week. I also took calorie shakes so as not to lose any more weight. My weight had now dropped from 92 kg to 79 kg.

After another 10 days, the wires were removed from my mouth, because my jaw did not have to be fixed together any more. The swelling went down enormously. Every day it was a little bit better.

90 days after the operation, I went for a check-up. Photos and three-dimensional X-ray images were made to see the results (which were becoming more and more evident). The new positioning of the jaw could be clearly seen, causing an ante-face. Today I can breathe better than ever before. I need less sleep and am active throughout the day. No one has mentioned my "new" look because not very much has changed in my appearance. The result can be seen in my profile though. In the coming months, plate material and screws will be removed.

In summary, I can say the following:

My experience with Klinik Professor Sailer has been entirely positive. The positive effects of this surgery on my personal and professional life are immense. Today, performance and appearance play a crucial role. I have been to many doctors and nobody was as expert and experienced as Professor Sailer.

Everything about him is good on a human level, he is a very pleasant, serene person with a lot of empathy.

His wife Dr. Sailer is also a very friendly, skilful person and I was very well looked after and advised by her. The clinic and the processes behind the operation were professional and well structured. The staff, especially Ms Tejic were very nice and looked after me extremely well. I can thoroughly recommend anyone to at least have a free consultation in order to form their own impression. Anyone is welcome to contact me via the clinic if you have specific questions concerning the operation.

Thanks to all the team and see you soon

December 2016, daughter writes about the surgery of her father

Ms. Wafae El Otmani, Morocco.

My family and I have spent one month in Zurich for my father’s surgery of sleep apnea; a maxillomandibular advancement surgery performed by Prof. Sailer and his brilliant team.

Seven months before surgery, my father went for a polysomnography because of a constant asthenia and snoring during sleep, he was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea (Index of 45/hour).

He started CPAP during sleep but could not use the machine regularly, he changed devices several times but in vain; he was simply not tolerating any facial mask. He even tried dental prosthesis and Surgery (septoplasty & uvulectmy) but nothing helped. His performance declined so much that he took long periods of sick leave, did not do sport anymore and became depressed and constantly anxious.

We finally came across the Professor Sailer’s klinik website and booked an appointment for a medical consultation. We were attended and welcomed in a very friendly way, Prof. Sailer gave us all necessary explanations and surgery was scheduled a month later.

My father, to whom doctors said he should wear the mask for his entire life, is now completely freed from sleep apnoea and can finally have a restful sleep.

To all the team of Professor Sailer Klinik, we express our sincere thanks and deepest gratitude; this surgery heeled my father and improved his quality of life. Thank you Professor Sailer, we wish you a healthy life and much more strength to continue performing and helping other people.

1 year after Sleep Apnea surgery, Oktober 2016

Mr. Ben J.Frommherz, Germany :

At the end of 2015 I underwent a Rotation Advancement Operation, because I could hardly sleep anymore due to shortness of breath and nothing provided me with any relief. The cause was that my jawbone had not grown to its full extent, which led to a bottleneck effect in my throat. The operation, which Prof. Sailer suggested, planned to rectify the bottleneck without altering the position of my jaw line or disfiguring my face.

I agreed to the operation despite the genaral risks of a surgery. I could no longer bear the present situation, which carried an even higher amount of risks: my weight had escalated to 100 kg; I was 185cm tall, constantly tired, my blood values were consistently deteriorating, in particular the liver and cholesterol values. I had also suffered 2 cases of thrombosis in the past 3 years. My whole body was in a bad condition. In the operation my air duct was widened from 4mm to approx. 15mm, my respiratory problems immediately became a thing of the past! In my specific case the operation did not prove to be a minor procedure as a long-term inflamed sinus problem and a wisdom tooth also had to be addressed. I therefore prepared myself for a long recovery period and took advantage of the opportunity to change my diet. After only 4 months I had lost 20kg and many other symptoms had also disappeared: Constipation, reflux, the chronic inflammation of my sinuses. All my blood values were at a healthy level again for the first time in years. I am full of energy again and it shows. Everyone around me confirms it. I feel 20 years younger and would definitely undergo this operation again. Heartfelt thanks to Professor Sailer and his team!

Monitor your sleep, if you are suffering from sleep apnoea

This medical tool records not only your snoring but also breathing stops if existent, and gives you tips on the precautionary measures.